The Central American disposals form part of a drive by Stuart Gulliver - the bank's chief executive - to cut annual costs at the group by $3.5bn. In recent months, HSBC has sold its credit card business, and some branches in the US as well as shrink or exit Russia, Poland, Chile and other countries.

Speaking last year, Mr Gulliver said it was clear HSBC had a "cost problem" and that the bank was "not going to try to be all things to all people in all markets". Following a strategic review, the bank is expected to make 30,000 job cuts by 2013 - or one in 10 jobs worldwide.

HSBC reports its full-year results next month and analysts are forecasting pre-tax profits will be $2bn higher than the $19bn last time round.